after

 Are you as tired, as I am?

Love, love, love everything Christmas...
but when it's over, it's over.

 The girls are at Grandparent camp for a day or two. Just enough time to restore order to the house. I'm feeling a little down, and cleaning and organizing things usually helps.

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

~Dr. Seuss

merry, merry

Merry, merry, my friends...

 Can you believe it's Christmas?

May your troubles be less,

And your blessing be more.

And nothing but happiness,

Come through your door.

I can't believe how much fun we've had this year...

 So many kind, sweet, supportive words from so many new friends.

 I hope each of you has the merriest of Christmases.
May the good saints protect you,
And bless you today.
And may troubles ignore you. 
Each step of the way.

the tea

Sunday was our annual Christmas Tea. It was a lot of fun.

 I have a coffee urn that's 'never brewed coffee' specifically for this event.

Some sweet options...

Santa, I've been good this year, I promise...

christmas sparkle

Where did the week go, my friends?

It's time for a little something pretty...

 A sweet paper ornament the girls made last year.

The doll house is sporting some sparkly, vintage finery.

The tree in all of her glory. 

I hope you have a happy, peaceful, and productive weekend.

From our happy home 

Through the world we roam
One week in all the year,
Making winter spring
With the joy we bring
For Christmas-time is here. 

~Louisa May Alcott

christmas color

 A bit of shopping took place this weekend. Although, my husband finds it hard to believe that I can fit one more ornament on our heavily bedecked Christmas tree, I always find a way. As a long time fan of Ms. Martha Stewart's Christmas line at Kmart, I'm happy to report that she's throwing it down equally as well at Macy's. Although, I will always miss Marshall Fields.

 I believe I've mentioned my affinity for gingerbread cookies?

Love the colors.

Once a year, our little village's fire department rides around with Santa on their truck tossing candy to all little girls and boys while thrillingly blasting their sirens. This year it was during a snow storm. That didn't stop my girls from waiting out in the snow for over an hour. My youngest, Rosie, was absolutely beyond thrilled...

'It's really him!', she squealed.

santa baby

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him at a department store and he asked for my autograph.

~Shirley Temple

Do your little ones believe in old St. Nick? My girls do, as far as I know. We maintain a strict policy of 'don't ask, don't tell'. I believe in keeping the magic alive...

Have the loveliest of weekends, my friends. We're expecting quite the snowstorm. I hope you're able to enjoy some peace and quiet and maybe a nice big 'cuppa' hot cocoa with fresh whipped cream and some sprinkles. If you have a moment, take a peek over here for more Friday pretties.

tea party

I thought you might like a peek at the invite for our upcoming tea party. I, of course, changed my address because I don't need any odd ducks ringing my bell.  But if you showed up, I would definitely invite you in...

This is our seventh annual mother/daughter tea party. The girls invite their friends with their moms and sisters, as do I. We usually have all sorts of sweets, savory bites, delicious punch and, of course, tea. The big guy himself shows up, too. 

How can you have a Christmas party without Santa? 

One final note, thirty years ago today, I almost lost my mom in a terrible, horrific car accident. I can't tell you how fortunate I am that she pulled through...otherwise, I would have lost more than my mom that day. I would have lost my best friend.  This past year, she's successfully battled cancer and is now in remission. I'm saying a special prayer today, for the children of Elizabeth Edwards.

tumble - bumble

Happy Monday, my friends.

What a weekend we had...
a proper snowstorm, sick girlies, and a dinner date with some old friends.
Sunday, especially, started out with a bang.

 A literal bang..bang..bang...

BANG.

My littlest sweet pea fell down the stairs, head over heels... Not only was she sick and a little out of it, something mysteriously made our wood floors a little slippery...

Thank heavens she's okay, just a little bruised in the face. It could have been a lot worse. In the ten years we've owned this house, my biggest fear is someone falling down the stairs. As they are a straight shot, d o w n....

Well, I'm happy to report we've successfully 'Murphy's oil'-ed the entire house (makes the floors 'un-slippery'). I would dearly love to solve the mystery of what made it so slippery in the first place.

Then, my friends, we 'attempted' to put up our Christmas tree...

sweeties

 How can it possibly be Friday, already?

As Christmas is rapidly approaching, I thought I'd share a few fun craft ideas. We host a little Christmas party every year, and the crafts are a big part of it. Today, let's focus on 'sweet'...

 How cute are these little gumdrop 'pops'?

Little 'sweetie' snails... 

A perfect little gingerbread wreath. Have I mentioned how much I adore gingerbread? One of my favorite Christmas memories is the annual gingerbread baking extravaganza with my mom and sister.

So many ideas, so little time...

Have the loveliest of weekends, my friends.
We're going to be busy little elves...

If you have a moment, visit I Love Pretty Little Things for lots of pretties.

Images via Martha Stewart

first snow

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all.

And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me.

~ Emily Dickinson

Snow is gently falling today. The ground is slowly turning white. The perfect first accumulation of snow on the first of December.

The little handblown glass bluebirds have been slowly gathered over time at various estate sales, antique markets, and from thoughtful friends. Love the color and the fact that no two are exactly alike, each is unique. Rather like snowflakes, don't you think?